Brit Aabakken Peterson has been honored by Ski for Light for her financial generosity to the organization. Brit and her late husband Roy have given to SFL in many, many ways for nearly 30 years. She was a guide from 1979 to 1985, when a car accident crushed both of her ankles. Undaunted, Brit came back to SFL as a volunteer and mobility-impaired skier, until retiring after the 2003 event in Alaska. Over many years Brit also solicited thousands of dollars worth of Norwegian food for our Norway Night dinners that so delighted attendees. Roy was a dedicated worker-bee for many of those years. On the occasion of their 50th anniversary Brit and Roy asked that friends and family donate to SFL in lieu of gifts. Brit did this again when she turned 80 years old. She has given generously nearly every year to the Endowment, Goodfellow, or general operating funds. Brit has donated and inspired others to donate more money to SFL over the years than any other individual.
To thank and honor Brit for her support of Ski for Light the organization has created the Brit Peterson Award. The award goes to individuals whose cumulative lifetime generosity to the organization is in excess of $25,000. Brit is the first recipient of the award which is named in her honor. The award was announced during the 2007 event in New Hampshire and, quite appropriately, presented to her during a recent SFL fund-raising reception at the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Washington. Brit was presented with a unique piece of Hadeland Norwegian crystal as a token of appreciation from Ski for Light.